On and Off The Ice

Here's the sequel to "The Ice, The Game, The Touch." Again, this is all made up and I have no idea what these players are like in real life.

Happy Reading!

M. ;)

***

"I am not superstitious!" he hollered as he exited the locker room following the game. The door didn't swing shut before he heard the responding hoots of laughter from his teammates.

Scowling, he turned away and jerked his ball cap further down on his head. The small figure of a woman halted him before he could stalk away in a huff. Instantly the scowl faded from his face and his tense muscles relaxed. She merely quirked a dark eyebrow at him and turned away.

"Wait a minute!" he called and laughed when she didn't stop; in fact, she picked up her pace. He quickly caught up with her, his longer legs easily eating up the distance she'd tried to put between them. "Why are you running away from me, Amelia?" he asked as he drew alongside her.

"Am I running?" she replied, a response that exasperated him even as it kept the smile on his face.

"No, not by my standards," he agreed.

"Oh, what was that?" she asked as she stopped and turned to face him. "Was that a crack about my height? Really? Is that all you've got?"

He just grinned and, heedless of the onlookers, he caught her in his arms, silencing her with a kiss. She bent against him, yielding to his arms and he savored her sigh as they parted. She grumbled at him as he released her and turned to continue stalking away from him. He threw a sheepish grin at the men and women standing by observing, but after all these weeks, most of them were used to the sight of Amelia arguing with the captain.

He jogged to catch up to Amelia again, but he reached her just as they both approached the curtain leading to the press area. She stopped short of going out there, still not used to the media firestorm that followed her boyfriend around. He looked down at her with a smile, hoping it was enough to placate her.

"Is this going to take long?" she asked, jerking her chin towards the curtain separating them from the press corps.

"Why are you in such a hurry tonight?" he asked, moving closer so that loomed over her; something he knew she both enjoyed and disliked.

She tilted her head back and fixed her emerald gaze on his face. Not for the first time, he felt his heart speed up and found himself short of breath. Without saying anything, she reached up and cupped his cheek, drawing his face down close to hers.

"I'm in a hurry to get you alone, Sean Carson," she murmured and abruptly released him, walking away.

He stared after her, feeling his face flush and cursing her silently for leaving him like that right before facing the reporters.

Oh, he'd get his revenge later.

***

Even though she knew about and understood the attention he received in his position, Amelia still found it difficult to be around him. She had dealt with the initial flurry over their relationship and as the weeks passed, and most people realized she wasn't just a hockey groupie, they mostly left her alone. She was doubly glad now that she had maintained her pen name and managed to keep her professional life separate from her personal life. Even her family had backed off after she'd repeatedly told them they had nothing to worry about.

After leaving Sean to face the reporters, Amelia walked around and stood behind the press corps, watching with a tiny smile as Sean took his seat. It was now past Christmas and everyone was already starting to talk about the playoffs.

As she watched and listened, Amelia was impressed yet again with the way Sean handled the press. He spoke clearly and sounded sure of himself, pausing occasionally to give extra thought before replying to a question. It was obvious how much the press enjoyed talking to him. Amelia knew they'd lost the game, a game against a team they'd soundly defeated on many previous match-ups. Still, Sean remained calm and didn't get upset by some of the more pointed questions.

Then someone broached the topic of their relationship and Sean was, for the first time, abrupt.

"Sean, can you tell us if your guests in the crowd tonight may have affected your game?" someone asked.

Amelia desperately wanted to shrink away to nothing. She despised questions about her or about the two of them being together. She didn't think she could ever get used to being a topic for press conferences.

Sean shrugged the question off, saying that he and the other players didn't really see the crowd. They played the game and tried to focus as best as they could.

At last, the reporters released him and Sean all but ran from them. Amelia would have laughed had she not been standing alone. Instead she covered her mouth with her hand and turned away before they all spotted her. She didn't want to face any questions after that interview. She hurried away, keeping her face carefully neutral and trying to look just like any other fan.

"Gotcha!" someone hissed in her ear as a familiar strong hand closed around her arm.

She couldn't stop the shriek of surprise at Sean's sudden appearance. He laughed out loud, completely unbothered by the people looking their way.

"You jerk!" she yelped and whirled around to punch him in the shoulder as hard as she could.

"Go easy on him, Lia," someone called as he walked by.

Amelia turned to see Max Tournet, one of Sean's teammates walk by. He was grinning and winked at her as she faced him.

"He's had a rough night already," Max added. "You should get him home and rub some A5-35 into his joints."

"How about you rub this, Max?" Sean replied, making a rude gesture at his teammate.

Max laughed and walked away with a wave.

Amelia turned and smacked Sean again. He looked down at her with a wounded expression on his face and Amelia sighed. They both knew she couldn't stay upset with him when he gave her that look. He saw her relenting and that knee-quivering grin spread across his face, making Amelia feel short of breath.

"Your place tonight?" He drew her close and tucked her against his side.

Amelia felt her face flush hot and looked away. She walked alongside him, loving the way he slowed his pace and shortened his strides to accommodate her. She also loved the way he smelled after coming out of the locker room; a tangy mixture of sweat and fresh soap and man. If she was being honest with herself, she was head over heels for this young hockey star.

They walked quietly out to the parking lot and her car. After the first couple weeks of trailing after the team to their games, Amelia had decided it might be a good investment to find a place to live in Pittsburgh and buy a car of her own. She had enough money in her savings to take care of that and come summer, she'd figure something else out. Neither of them had touched on that subject yet; her, because she was afraid of where the conversation might lead them, and him, because he didn't like to talk about anything beyond the regular season. Which reminded her about something.

"So what was all that about when you came out of the locker room?" she asked as she drove through the streets away from the arena.

"What do you mean?"

"When you came out of the locker room, you were shouting something about superstition," Amelia elaborated and glanced sideways at him.

Sean sighed and lifted his cap to scrub a hand through his dark hair. "Oh, it was nothing. The guys were just giving me a hard time."

"Sean, everyone knows that you're the most superstitious guy on the team," she said with a laugh. "There's nothing wrong with that."

Sean looked over at her and lifted his eyebrows. "What do you mean, 'everyone?'"

"I mean everyone," she repeated. "You get the questions often enough in your interviews, I'm sure. Even I knew that and I didn't even recognize you the first time we met."

He chuckled and leaned over, stroking her cheek with one hand before planting a kiss there. "Well, that's because you were stunned by my incredible good looks and unadulterated charm."

"Hmm, that must have been it," she agreed, tilting her head and smiling when he trailed kisses down her neck.

They didn't make it back to her apartment fast enough for her. With Sean leaning against her and his kisses getting hotter, she was just about ready to pull over and climb into his lap on the side of the freeway. Somehow she managed to push him away long enough to pull into the underground parking lot of her apartment building and she bolted from the car before he could get a real hold on her. Laughing, he jumped out and raced behind her to the elevators. She grinned and punched the button for her floor, holding him at arm's length while they rode up.

"What are you doing, Lia?" he asked, using the nickname the team had given her after they'd all met.

"I'm keeping you away from me until we're alone," she said.

He raised his eyebrows at her and glanced around the empty elevator. She laughed and smacked him on the arm.

"Don't give me that look," she told him, trying to sound stern but melting under his heated gaze. "If I've learned anything from being your girlfriend, it's that there are eyes everywhere."

"Hmm," he murmured with a mischievous grin that did the oddest things to Amelia's inner workings. "I kind of like the sound of that."

Luckily, the doors of the elevator opened and Amelia ducked under Sean's arm, running down the hall for her apartment. She didn't know why she bothered trying to run from him anymore. He could catch her no matter where she went.

His arms closed around her from behind as she fumbled with her keys, trying to unlock the door. When his hands met the bare skin of her stomach she moaned and dropped the keys. It was a familiar scene, repeated many times, all starting with that first afternoon at her hotel in Tampa. This time, she braced herself and dug an elbow back into his ribs.

He fell back a step with a groan and glared half-heartedly at her. She glared right back, stooping quickly to pick up her keys.

"You're mean when you're horny."

She laughed and turned away before she could betray herself by just jumping into his arms. "Stop whining," she replied and managed to unlock the door, pushing it open with one hand. "I'll make it up to you, Kid."

His face relaxed into a grin and Amelia felt her blood begin to pound in earnest all through her body. She backed into her apartment, keeping her gaze on his beautiful hazel eyes and trying hard not to hyperventilate. Even after all this time, he could undo her with a single look.

She recalled how she'd once wondered if he showed as much focus and determination in the bedroom as he did on the ice.

Did he ever.

"You know, that reminds me," he said in a low voice as he followed her inside her apartment. He paused, turning to shut and lock the door.

"What?" she asked breathlessly, still backing away from him. As she moved, she tossed her purse down on the floor, heedless of where it landed, and dropped her coat as well. All the while, Sean pursued her, his face intent even as he removed his own jacket.

"You gave me a hard-on right before sending me out to face the press tonight," he told her as they made their way down the hall to her bedroom. "I owe you for that."

"Oh," she breathed and laughed until she felt her back connect with the door frame to her bedroom. She'd seriously misjudged the distance to the room and Sean took complete advantage, moving in fast to pin her against the door frame. "You don't have to thank me, Sean."

"I'm not thanking you," he replied before lowering his head and stroking his tongue teasingly over her lower lip.

She sighed, letting her mouth fall open under his but he didn't kiss her. He pulled back and stared down at her, his eyes darkening with each passing moment. She felt her knees begin to shake. How could he do this to her? It still amazed her every time she finally got him all to herself.

"I'm punishing you," he said and dropped a light kiss on her lips.

"Well, so far it doesn't feel like punishment," she replied tartly and shrieked when his hands dropped to her jeans, jerking sharply on the waist. The move brought their hips together, or rather, as close together as they could be given the difference in their heights.

"I'm just getting started," he assured her as his fingers worked the button free. A second later, he had the zipper open and his hand was sliding down under her panties.

Biting her lip, Amelia rested her head back against the door frame and squeezed her eyes shut. His fingers slid through her crisp, dark curls and stroked her wet center. She moved her right leg half a step to the side, opening herself up to him. He pressed his lips to her throat, lapping at her skin with his tongue as he pulled his fingers away from her.

It was beginning to feel like a punishment now.

She lifted her hands and wrapped them around his shoulders, holding him against her as he continued to run his tongue up and down her neck. His hands were gripping her hips and she was throbbing for him, aching to feel his hands on her again. She got her wish when his fingers danced across the skin exposed by her open jeans. Her breathing sped up as his fingers found and pushed down the elastic waist of her panties. She was practically panting in anticipation when he stroked her again but, just as she felt him slide a finger between her swelling lips, he withdrew again.

Growling low in her throat, she dug her fingers into his shoulders. He chuckled and lifted his head from her neck, keeping his face close to hers. She looked into his dark eyes, swallowing hard at the blatant desire she saw reflected there.

"Are you feeling punished yet?" he asked and Amelia was almost relieved to hear the huskiness in his voice.

At least she wasn't the only one affected by this.

She nodded, not speaking out loud. His face split into that boyish grin that she adored and she felt the responding smile spread across her face.

"Good," he breathed and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her at last, really kissing her.

She moaned and let her mouth fall open, sliding her tongue against his as he pushed into her mouth. His hands were tight on her hips and his body pressed closer to hers until he wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet. She laughed as he spun her around and carried her into the bedroom, walking her over until she felt the edge of the bed connect with her calves. Then they were toppling over and he was lying on top of her, still kissing her hard.

She held him close, loving the way his broad weight felt against her body. She spread her legs, cradling him against her overheated center and he shifted over her, lifting one leg as he rolled to the side, using his knee to nudge her legs further apart. His hand moved from her waist to push under her jeans and underwear again and this time, he wasn't teasing her. He cupped her moist center and pushed a finger up and inside of her.

She gasped and broke the kiss, pressing her head back against the bed, squeezing his shoulders as he played with her. He moved his lips over her cheek and down the column of her throat, licking her, leaving wet, swirling patterns on her skin. She turned her head to the side to let him taste her. Still his hand played with her, stroking one finger, then two inside of her. He twisted his hand, bending his thumb to brush her clit. She bucked against him, feeling her body tighten with each stroke of his hand.

"That's it," he murmured against her skin. "God, I love how you feel."

She couldn't speak. He just kept stroking her inside, rubbing her and making her burn all over. Her mind turned to jelly, just as it always did when he touched her this way. He pulled his hand away, moving to tug at the waist of her jeans until he was pulling her jeans and underwear right off. She tilted her chin down, smiling at him as he yanked her socks off as well, tossing them over the side of the bed. He grinned before leaning over her, bracing himself with his hands on either side of her head.

He lowered his head, brushing his nose along the side of hers, breathing deeply before letting their lips brush together fleetingly. She sighed, wanting more. She reached up and cupped the back of his head, pulling him down. Her strength was no match for his and she made a sound of disappointment when he resisted her tug.

"Patience, Lia," he murmured, kissing her cheek and then the tip of her nose.

She pouted and lifted her knees, holding him between her thighs. He just grinned and pulled at her shirt, lifting it up and over her head. She obliged, letting him go so he could pull the shirt off. His hands dropped to her bra-covered breasts and she sighed happily as he brushed his thumbs over the taut tips. He lowered his head and dropped kisses along her collarbone, licking as her pulse jumped beneath the skin. He reached up and slid the straps of her bra over her shoulders and took hold of the band around her torso. With a quick jerk, he pulled the bra up and over her head, tossing it aside with the rest of her clothes. She laughed as he did; he'd never been able to figure out the bra clasp.

He ignored her laugh and lowered himself until he could close his lips over one puckered nipple. Sighing, Amelia held him there, sliding her fingers through his silky dark hair, loving the feel of it. He sucked hard on her nipple for a second and she gasped, arching into his mouth. He stilled her movement with a hand on her stomach that swiftly moved south and pressed between her legs.

As he slid his mouth across her chest to her other breast, his fingers separated the damp folds between her legs and she felt her entire body unhinge. He felt so good in her arms, leaning against her and doing such amazing things with his mouth and hands. It still gave her a thrill to have these hands on her body; skilled hands that won hockey games and broke NHL records.

But it was Sean doing this to her, not the captain of the team.

He pushed a finger inside of her and she made a strangled sound as he coupled the move with a stroke over her swollen clit. She writhed under him, clutching at his shoulders as he moved up to kiss her throat. Then his mouth met hers, swallowing her long, loud cry as she came in his arms. He continued to kiss her, letting his tongue glide over and around hers, teasing her relentlessly as she bucked her hips against his hand. At length, he pulled his hand away, smoothing his palm up over her stomach until he was gently cupping one breast, brushing his thumb over the erect nipple.

She smiled lazily up at him and touched her fingertips to his cheek. "Well, this is hardly fair," she murmured, her voice hoarse.

"What is?" he asked, his beautiful hazel eyes sparkling.

"Here I am, all naked and feeling properly punished," she said, gesturing at herself with one hand. "And there you are, fully clothed."

"I can fix that," he said and sat up on his knees, pulling his shirt off over his head, revealing his toned and muscular chest to her.

Biting her lip, she lifted her hands and rubbed her palms over the taut skin covering his torso. He grinned down at her and she felt heat rush into her face but she didn't care. She explored his body and he let her, remaining still as she moved her hands lower, hooking her fingers in the waist of his jeans. She toyed with the button at the top of his zipper and looked up at him through her lashes as she brushed the backs of her fingers against his skin. He swallowed and the smile was gone from his face, replaced by that entirely focused look that she loved.

Still feeling playful, Amelia dropped one hand to cup him through his jeans, biting back a groan at the erection she felt straining beneath his clothes. She rubbed him once, twice and then stopped when he laid a hand over hers.